N.Y. approves upgrades to grid in case Indian Point shuts

Oct. 17, 2013

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The state Public Service Commission approved several projects Thursday to keep the electricity flowing should the Indian Point nuclear power plant shut down.

The commission signed off on building and upgrading transmission and power lines between the region and several areas farther upstate. Doing so, it said, will allow more electricity to move into the area. The PSC also decided to proceed with programs targeting energy efficiency and consumption by larger customers.

The projects are part of a contingency plan developed by Consolidated Edison and the New York Power Authority. The utilities are working on the plan at the request of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Energy Highway Task Force.

“The potential retirement of (Indian Point) raises significant reliability issues,” PSC chairwoman Audrey Zibelman said. “With our decision today, we considered and adopted two elements which have been identified as part of the portfolio of actions that needed to be implemented to mitigate these pressing reliability concerns.”

The projects will increase the reliability of the state’s electrical system even if Indian Point stays open, the PSC said.

One of Indian Point’s federal operating licenses expired last month; the other expires in 2015. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing plant owner Entergy’s renewal application. The process could take several more years, and the plant can operate in the meantime.

“We remain confident that Indian Point will receive its renewed license and continue to benefit New York electric consumers for years to come,” said Jerry Nappi, an Entergy spokesman.

As the projects will benefit the public regardless of Indian Point’s status, Nappi said, they should not be viewed as replacements.